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Talarico beats Paxton by 12 points in historic Texas Senate upset
James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton by 12 points in a historic Texas Senate upset, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1988. The result has prompted Republican criticism of Paxton’s campaign and raised questions about the effects of President Donald Trump’s endorsement and influence on the race.
Republican insiders quoted in the article called Paxton’s campaign exceptionally poor, while some also blamed Trump for the wider election losses. Paxton’s allies had promoted unsubstantiated claims that Talarico was at a mental health facility; Talarico’s campaign said he was recovering from flu. GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren rejected the criticism as anonymous blame and urged the party to focus on voters’ domestic policy concerns.
In short
- Talarico beat Paxton by 12 points in Texas.
- He is the first Texas Democrat elected to the Senate since 1988.
- Republicans are arguing over the campaign and Trump’s role.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The scale of Paxton’s defeat gives Republicans reason to examine whether his campaign, including its use of unsubstantiated claims about Talarico, failed to persuade voters and damaged the party’s credibility. Some may also argue that Trump’s endorsement and influence tied the race to a broader political brand that did not serve Republican candidates well in this election.
The case against
Republicans should be cautious about drawing broad conclusions from one result or relying on anonymous insiders’ accounts to explain it. As fundraiser Caroline Wren argues, the party may learn more by focusing on voters’ concerns about domestic policy than by assigning blame to Paxton’s campaign or Trump’s endorsement.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Republicans left reeling after stunning statewide defeat in Texas… as vicious blame game erupts: ‘Worst campaign ever seen’”.